Technical Abstract:
Bioblends are polymer blends in which at least one component is biodegradable. Binary bioblends of polystyrene (PS) with biodegradable polyesters were prepared and investigated using Derivative Thermogravimetric (DTGA) degradation kinetics. The biodegradable polyesters were: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolacone (PCL), poly(tetramethyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (EBU). The composition of the blend varied from Pure PS to pure biodegradable polyester in 25% increments. The non-model conventional TGA kinetic analysis based on Flyn & Wall method was used. The Activation Energy (Ea) and the Pre-exponential factor (Z) were calculated for each bio-blend. The DTGA profile of all blends indicated full degradation. Bioblends with 50% PS showed the highest Ea and Z values. The Ea values for 100% PCL and 25% PCL were 232.9 and 242.1 (KJ/mol), respectively, while the value for 50% PCL was 255.9 (KJ/mol). The 100% EBU displayed the highest Ea value (265.6 KJ/mol) while 100% PLA showed the lowest Ea value 194.1 (KJ/mol). These and other results from this study are analyzed to explore the issue of compatibility in bioblends.